Dental hand abrasive separator device



Jan. 17, 1956 K. w. SAUPE ,730,8

DENTAL HAND ABRASIVE SEPARATOR DEVICE Filed Jan. 8, 1954 INVENTOR. ZZ KHRL W, SHUPE HT TORNEYS United States Patent DENTAL HAND ABRASIVE SEPARATOR DEVICE Karl W. Saupe, New York, N. Y., assignor to Mizzy, Inc., Clifton Forge, Va., a corporation of New York Application January 8, 1954, Serial No. 402,951

17 Claims. (CI. 32-58) effectively retains an abrasive strip therein.

Another object is to construct an abrasive separator device in which an abrasive strip is easily inserted and securely retained therein.

Other objects of the invention will be more apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating some preferred embodiments thereof in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of the separator device with one of the pivoted finger pieces pivoted outwardly to a position for release or insertion of an abrasive strip;

Figure 2 is essentially an end view of the separator of Figure 1 although sectioned on line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan View of an abrasive strip;

Figure 4 is a plan view of another form of separator device with one of the pivoted finger pieces swung outwardly in released position;

Figure 5 is essentially an end view of the separator of Figure 4 although sectioned on line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a plan view of a blank of a pivoted finger piece; and

Figure 7 is a partial view of a separator device as in Figure 4 with another form of abrasive strip retaining means.

Dental hand abrasive separator devices as presently made are expensive to manufacture in that they comprise many parts and several of these parts are so constructed that they cannot be manufactured by punching blanks from strip material and bending them into shape. Again the present separator devices are so constructed that it is awkward procedure to assemble an abrasive strip legs, the space between the legs forming a groove. The

frame may be simply formed of sheet metal in which it has the form of a double U in that an H-shaped blank is bent at the longitudinal center of the blank or particularly the bar 11 so that a groove 13 is formed in the bar and the legs of the H-shaped blank form a pair of spaced legs at each end of the bar.

A finger member or piece 16 is pivoted at each end of the frame or bar 11 which finger member may be curved somewhat to more comfortably fit a finger.

f Each finger member is pivotally mounted on the frame or. bar by a pivot 17 which extends crosswise of the bar er frame. The finger member has a groove 18 2,730,8il i Patented Jan. 17, 1956 formed by spaced flanges 22 which receives the spaced legs of the frame therein when the finger member is pivoted into operative position over the legs or at right angles to the bar of the frame. The finger member carries retaining means which may be a bent projection 19 which closes or obstructs the outer end of the groove 18 in the finger member when it is in operative or closed position. The spaced legs at each end of the frame in effect form a groove. Preferably the legs are spaced from each other throughout their length and width. When so constructed the finger member when swung into operative or closed position, embraces the spaced legs at its end of the frame and obstructs the open end of the groove formed by the spaced legs and prevents longitudinal displacement of the abrasive strip. It is desirable too to have the spaced legs spread a little wider than the groove formed by the flanges 22 so that when the finger member is passed over the spaced legs they are pressed inwardly to grip the abrasive strip.

Preferably the finger member or piece is formed from a flat blank of sheet material shown in Figure 6 in which half portion ends are bent over the center portion at the bending axes 20 and the extreme ends of the blank are bent outwardly on bending axes 21 to form flanges 22 forming the groove 13 therebetween which receives the spaced legs. The projection 19 is bent over at the end of the edges and the groove formed therebetween to form the retaining means which obstructs the end of the groove and retains the abrasive strip within the separator against lateral removal from the separator. device.

The abrasive strip 23 shown in Figure 3 may beof thin metal so that it is relatively stiff and has abrasive on one surface thereof. This strip is received between the spaced legs of the frame and one longitudinal edge is received in the groove 13 in the bar of the frame to give longitudinal support for the abrasive strip. The abrasive strip may engage the pivots 17. The abrasive strip has a length equal to the length of the frame in the construction particularly illustrated. When the finger pieces or members are pivoted vertically or at right angles to the bar of the frame so that each embraces its spaced legs of the frame, the finger member obstructs the groove formeddby the spaced legs and prevents longitudinal movement of the abrasive strip. The bent projection 19 obstructs the end of the groove in the finger member and is over a longitudinal edge of the abrasive strip when in operative or closed position to thereby retain the abrasive strip within the separator device against lateral removal from the frame. The longitudinal edge of the abrasive strip provides a shoulder engaged by the retaining means 19 for retaining the strip against outward removal from the groove in the finger member. The dentist holding the separator device between two fingers engaging the finger pieces or members, inserts the abrasive strip between a pair of adjacent teeth and by moving the separator device longitudinally, the abrasive smooths off a filling located between the teeth.

Another form of dental abrasive separator device is shown in Figures 4 and 5 including a frame 26 which is essentially a bar in which it is desirable to provide a longitudinal groove. This frame is not provided with the legs at each end of the bar as in the construction of Figures 1 and 2. The frame may be formed by bending a blank into U-shaped form along a central bending axis upon itself as in the frame of Figure 1 to form a groove 27 to receive a longitudinal edge of the abrasive strip 23.

Essentially the same finger pieces or members 16 of Figure 1 are pivotally mounted upon the ends of the frame or bar. These finger pieces however, have a narrower groove 28 which is wide enough to receive the end edge of the abrasive strip andretain'the same in the separator device and also to prevent longitudinal movement of the abrasive strip when it is mounted in the device. In all other respects the finger piece is the same as that shown in Figure 1. The abrasive strip 23 used is also identical with that shown inFigure 3.

In Figure 7 another form of retaining means for retaining the abrasive strip within the device is illustrated.

V "This retaining means includes a pin 30 carried by the flanges of the finger member so that it obstructs the groove formed by the flanges and is received in a notch 31in the end edge of the abrasive strip 23 when the finger member is in closed or operative position at right angles to the frame. An edge of the notch forms a shoulder which retains the abrasive strip in the .groove against outward removal. It will be observed, therefore, that the retaining means for holding the abrasive strip within the separator device may take many forms.

This invention .is presented to fill a need for improve .ments in a dentalhand abrasive separator device. i t is understood that various modifications in structure, as well as changes in mode of operation, assembly, and manner of use, may and often do occur to those skilled in theart, especially after benefiting from the teachings of an invention. Hence, it will be understod that this being crosswise of the frame, the finger members pivoting outwardly from a right angle operative position to release or insert an abrasive strip, and retaining means carried by each finger member and obstructing the groove therein to engage a shoulder on and retain the abrasive strip within the device when the finger member is in operative position.

2. A dental hand abrasive separator device as'in claim 1 in which the retaining means closes the outer end of the groove in the finger member.

, 3; A dental hand separator device adapted to hold 7 an abrasive strip having a long edgeand end edges comprising a frame having a groove to receive a long edge of the abrasive strip, a pair of spaced finger members pivotally mounted on the frame at the ends thereof and eachhavinga groove extendinginwardly, the pivot being crosswise of the frame, the finger members pivoting outwardly from a right angle operative position to release or insert an abrasive strip and holding the same in the frame when in right .angle position, and means carried 'by each finger member closing the outer end of the groove therein.

4.'A dental handiabrasive separator device adapted to hold an abrasive strip having a long edge and end edges comprising a frame of U-shaped form'including a bar and a leg means at each end of the bar having a groove, the end edges-of the abrasive strip being received in the grooves of the leg means, a pair of spaced finger members pivotally mounted on the frame at the ends thereof and each having agroove extending inwardly to secure the ends of the abrasive strip to the frame, the

.pivot being crosswise of the frame, the finger members pivoting outwardly from a right angle operative posi- 'tion torelease or insert an abrasive strip, and retaining means 'carriedbyeach finger member and obstructing the groove therein to engage a shoulder on and retain vthe abrasive strip within the device when the finger members are in operative position.

5. A dental hand abrasive separator device as in claim 4 in which the retaining means closes the outer end of the groove in the finger member.

6; A dental hand abrasive separator device adapted to hold an abrasive strip having a long edge and end edges comprising a frame of U-shaped form including a bar and a leg at each end of the bar, a groove in the bar to receive a long edge of the abrasive strip, a groove facing inwardly in each leg, a pair of spaced finger members pivotally mounted on the bar of the frame at the ends thereof and each having-a groove extending inwardly to receive the spaced legs of the frame, the pivot being crosswise of the frame, the finger members pivoting outwardly from an operative position embracing the legs to release -or insert an abrasive-strip, and means carried by each finger member closing the outer end of the groove therein.

7. A dental hand abrasive separator device adapted to hold an abrasive strip having a long edge and end edges comprising a frame of U-shaped form including 'a bar and a pair of spaced legs at each endof the bar, a groove in the bar to receive a long edge of the abrasive strip and the end edges being received between the spaced legs, a pair of spaced finger memberspivotally mounted on the frame at the ends thereof and each having a grooveex tending inwardly to receive the'spaced legs of the frame and obstruct the opening between the spaced legs, the pivot being crosswise of the frame, the finger members pivoting outwardly from a right angle operative position to release or insert an abrasive strip, and means carried by each finger member to retain the abrasive member within the device when the finger-member is in operative position. v

8. A dental hand abrasive separator device adapted to hold an abrasive strip having a longitudinal edge and end edges comprising a'frame of U-shaped form includinga bar and a pair of spaced legs at each end of the bar, a groove in the bar to receive a long edge of the abrasive strip and the end edges being received between the spaced legs, a pair of spaced finger members pivotally mounted on the frame at the ends thereof and each having a groove extending inwardly to receive the spaced legs-of the frame-and obstruct the opening between the spaced legs, the pivot being crosswise of the frame, the finger members pivoting outwardly from a right angle operative position to release or insert an abrasive strip, and a projection carried by each finger member-extending over the ends of. the spaced legs to retain theabrasive strip within the device against lateral removal when the finger member is in operative position.

9. A dental hand abrasive separator device adapted to hold an abrasive strip having a long edge and end edges with a notch therein comprising a frame, a pair of spaced finger members pivotally mounted'on the frame at the ends thereof and each having a groove extending inwardly, the pivot being crosswise of the frame, the finger memberspivotally outwardly from a right angleoperati-ve position to release or insert an abrasive strip, and a pin carrier by each-finger memberbetween the ends of the groove adapted to engage a notch in the end edge of the abrasive strip to retain the abrasive strip within the device when the finger member is in operative position.

10. A dental hand abrasive separator device adapted to holdan abrasive strip having a long edge and end edges with a notch therein comprising a frame of U-shaped form including a bar and apair of spaced legs at each end of the bar, a groovein the bar to receive a long edge of the abrasive strip and the end edges being received between the spaced legs, apair of spacedfinger members pivotally mounted on the frameat the ends thereof and each having a groove extending inwardly to receive the spacedlegs of the frame and obstruct the opening between the spaced legs, the pivot being crosswise of the frame, the finger memberspivoting outwardly .from a right angle operative position to release or insert an abrasive strip, and a pin carried by each finger member intermediate its ends adapted'to engage a notchin the end edge of the abrasive strip to retain the same within the separator device.

ll. A dental hand abrasive separator device adapted to hold an abrasive strip having a long edge and end edges comprising a frame of U-shaped form providing a longitudinal groove, a pair of spaced finger members pivotally mounted on the frame at the ends thereof and each having a groove extending inwardly, the pivot being crosswise of the frame, the finger members pivoting outwardly from a right angle operative position to release or insert an abrasive strip, and retaining means carried by each finger member to retain the abrasive strip within the device when the finger member is in operative position.

12. A dental hand abrasive separator device adapted to hold an abrasive strip having a long edge and end edges comprising a frame of U-shaped form bent from an l-l-shaped blank including a U-shaped bar and a pair of spaced legs at each end of the bar, one leg being integral with each side of the U-shaped bar at each end thereof, the U-shaped bar providing a groove to receive long edge of the abrasive strip and the end edges being received between the spaced legs, a pair of spaced finger members pivotally mounted on the frame at the ends thereof and each having a groove extending inwardly to receive the spaced legs of the frame and obstruct the opening between the spaced legs, the pivot being crosswise of the frame, the finger member pivoting outwardly from a right angle operative position to release or insert an abrasive strip, and means carried by each finger member closing the outer end of the groove therein.

13. A dental hand abrasive separator device adapted to hold an abrasive strip having a long edge and end edges comprising a frame, a pair of spaced finger members pivotally mounted on the frame at the ends thereof, each finger member having a central portion and overlapping half portions bent thereover at the outer edges of the central portion, and a flange carried by each half portion extending outwardly, the flanges being spaced from each other to form a groove extending inwardly, the pivot being crosswise of the frame, the finger members pivoting outwardly from a right angle operative position to release or insert an abrasive strip, and retaining means carried by each finger member to retain the abrasive strip within the device when the finger member is in operative position.

14. A dental hand abrasive separator device comprising a frame, a pair of spaced finger members pivotally mounted on the frame at the ends thereof and each having a groove extending inwardly, the pivot being crosswise of the frame, an abrasive strip of relatively rigid material and having a long edge and end edges, the end edges having a shoulder, the finger members pivoting outwardly from a right angle operative position to release or insert the end edge of the abrasive strip within the groove, and

retaining means carried by each finger member obstruciing the groove and engaging the shoulder to retain the edges being received between the spaced legs, a pair of spaced finger members pivotally mounted on the frame at the ends thereof and each having a groove extending inwardly to receive the spaced legs of the frame and obstruct the opening between the spaced legs, the pivot being crosswise 0f the frame, the finger members pivoting outwardly from a right angle operative position to release or insert an abrasive strip, and retaining means carried by each finger member engaging the end edge of the abrasive strip to retain the same within the separator device.

16. A dental hand abrasive separator device comprising an abrasive strip having a long edge and end edges, a frame of U-shaped form including a bar and a pair of spaced legs at each end of the bar, a groove in the bar to receive a long edge of the abrasive strip and the end edges being received between the spaced legs, a pair of spaced finger members pivotally mounted on the frame at the ends thereof and each having a groove extending inwardly to receive the spaced legs of the frame and obstruct the opening between the spaced legs, the pivot being crosswise of the frame, the finger members pivoting outwardly from a right angle operative position to release or insert an abrasive strip, and a projection carried by each finger member closing the end of the groove therein to retain the abrasive strip within the separator device when the finger member is in operative position.

17. A dental hand abrasive separator device comprising an abrasive strip having a long edge and end edges with a notch therein, a frame of U-shaped form including a bar and a pair of spaced legs at each end of the bar, a groove in the bar to receive a long edge of the abrasive strip and the end edges being received between the spaced legs, a pair of spaced finger members pivotally mounted on the frame at the ends thereof and each having a groove extending inwardly to receive the spaced legs of the frame and obstruct the opening between the spaced legs, the pivot being crosswise of the frame, the finger members pivoting outwardly from a right angle operative position to release or insert an abrasive strip, and a pin carried by each finger member intermediate its ends to engage a notch in the end edge of the abrasive strip to retain the same within the separator device.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

